Patents Issued in October 25, 2016
  • Patent number: 9476327
    Abstract: A camshaft adjusting device (19) having a camshaft adjuster (4), including a stator (36), a rotor (38) which can be rotated relative to the stator (36) about a rotational axis (74), and a hub (52) which is arranged on the rotor (38) or on the stator (36) and has a receiving cup (62), and having a camshaft (12) which is received in the receiving cup (62). It is provided here that the camshaft (12) is fixed radially in the receiving cup (62) via at least three spacer elements (64). A camshaft adjusting device (19) of this type can be produced simply and inexpensively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Weber, Robert Heinemann
  • Patent number: 9476328
    Abstract: A device for effecting an axial shift of a rotary shaft such as the camshaft of a vehicle comprising a first component having a shaft and a head, a second component having a first end and second end and a bore extending longitudinally there through, the shaft of the first component being inserted into the bore of the second component, a detent couples the first component to the second component such that rotation of the second component causes the first component to rotate wherein the first end of the second component is countersunk so as to define inclined ramps in walls of the second component and one or more rollers are disposed between the head of the first component and the first end of the second component in rolling contact with the inclined ramps, wherein as the second component is rotated about a longitudinal axis the rollers move along the inclined ramps and act upon the first component to move it axially with respect to the second component which may be arranged to rotate the first component with r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Iain Print
  • Patent number: 9476329
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes an input member; an output member defining a phasing advance chamber and a phasing retard chamber with the input member; and a rotary valve spool coaxially disposed within the output member such that the rotary valve spool is rotatable relative to the output member and the input member, the valve spool defining a rotary valve spool advance chamber and a rotary valve spool retard chamber. Oil supplied to the rotary valve spool advance chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in a retard direction and oil supplied to the rotary valve spool retard chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in an advance direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Fischer, Karl J. Haltiner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9476330
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve driver, in normal operation, supplies peak current from a capacitor to a coil of an injector by turning ON a transistor on a downstream side of the coil and a discharge transistor that discharges electricity from the capacitor to the coil. Thereafter, the driver supplies constant current to the coil by an ON-OFF control of a transistor disposed between a battery and an upstream side of the coil until an end of the electricity supply period. When an open failure of the discharge transistor is detected, the driver controls the current to prevent a voltage rise of the capacitor to reduce flyback energy collected from a downstream side of the coil by the capacitor based on a transistor OFF timing delay scheme, in which an OFF timing of a transistor is delayed by a preset delay time from a normal OFF timing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keita Kojima
  • Patent number: 9476331
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an engine may include a variable valve lift apparatus, an engine including a plurality of cylinders generating power by combustion of fuel, at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve for opening and closing the cylinder, a variable valve lift apparatus adjusting a valve lift of the intake valve and exhaust valve, and a controller driving the intake valve in a low lift mode by using the variable valve lift apparatus and closing the exhaust valve when one of the cylinders among the plurality of cylinders may be deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byong Young Choi
  • Patent number: 9476332
    Abstract: A device for treating a gas stream, especially an exhaust-gas stream of an internal combustion engine, includes at least one radial chamber radially conducting the gas stream and extending substantially radially from a central region to an outer collecting chamber. First and second, preferably parallel, substantially disk-shaped walls delimit the chamber. Electrodes project from the first wall into the chamber. The first wall is formed of electrically insulating material having the electrodes fastened therein and electrically interconnected by electrical conductors in or on the insulating material. Two or more chambers may be disposed, axially in series, around the central region. Very effective treatment of exhaust gas with an electric field for ionization or generating a plasma can be provided over a relatively short structural length in a flow direction. Electric fields running transversely to the flow direction provide new possibilities for selecting various parameters of the treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Peter Hirth, Jan Hodgson, Christian Vorsmann
  • Patent number: 9476333
    Abstract: A burner for an exhaust purifying device includes a tube, an air supply port for supplying air for combustion into the tube, a fuel supply port for supplying fuel into the tube, and an ignition portion. The tube includes a premixing chamber for mixing air for combustion and fuel to generate a pre-mixed air-fuel mixture, a combustion chamber for combusting the pre-mixed air-fuel mixture to generate post-combustion gas, and a discharge port for discharging the post-combustion gas. The ignition portion ignites the pre-mixed air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. The tube further includes a swirling flow generation unit arranged upstream of the premixing chamber for generating a swirling flow of which the center direction corresponds to a fuel injection direction and a diffusion unit arranged downstream of the swirling flow generation unit in the premixing chamber for diffusing the fuel incorporated in the swirling flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ichiro Tsumagari, Ryo Shibuya, Atsushi Koide
  • Patent number: 9476334
    Abstract: A working vehicle has a cooling fan provided on a first side of an engine to blow air to the engine; a muffler main body provided on a second side thereof in a position lower than an upper surface of a head cover of the engine; and an exhaust pipe exposed in a position facing an air blowing path of the cooling fan higher than the upper surface of the head cover of the engine to discharge exhaust from the muffler main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tada, Masato Asahara, Yoshihiro Ueda, Eiji Sato, Akira Minoura
  • Patent number: 9476335
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine; a motor, a catalyst used to purify exhaust gas of the engine, and an ECU configured to control the engine and the motor according to an output request of the hybrid vehicle, execute a target engine output keeping control for controlling an engine output such that the, target engine output keeps at a predetermined value during warm-up of the catalyst, and set an engine speed to a first engine speed when the target engine output keeping control is executed, the first engine speed being lower than a lower limit engine speed at which the engine is operated without executing the target engine output keeping control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuta Teraya, Daigo Ando, Hidekazu Nawata, Tatsuya Fujii
  • Patent number: 9476336
    Abstract: A container for a tank for storing a liquid additive includes a housing having a heater and at least one drivable apparatus for promoting convection in the housing. A motor vehicle includes a tank for storing a liquid additive and an exhaust gas system having a metering or adding device for the liquid additive. A container is inserted into the tank wall and a plurality of functional components is provided in the container for conveying the liquid additive from the tank through the container to the metering or adding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Rolf Brueck, Jan Hodgson, Sven Schepers
  • Patent number: 9476337
    Abstract: Two sets of assemblies are arranged such that a diesel particulate filter device of the assembly, a selective catalytic reduction device of the assembly, a selective catalytic reduction device of the assembly, and a diesel particulate filter device of the assembly are located next to each other in this order. Exhaust tubes are provided to extend upward from gas outlets of the selective catalytic reduction device of the assembly and the selective catalytic reduction device of the assembly. The two exhaust tubes are located on a virtual plane orthogonal to longitudinal directions of the selective catalytic reduction devices of the assemblies. Thereby, an air intake position for an engine can be easily set to a position from which exhaust gas from the engine is less likely to be taken in, in a configuration provided with two sets of assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Katsuhiro Tsutsumi, Hirofumi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 9476338
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes determining an NH3 reference target in an exhaust conduit between a first SCR catalyst and a second SCR catalyst. The method includes determining a present amount of NH3 in the exhaust conduit between the first SCR catalyst and the second SCR catalyst, and determining an NH3 error term in response to the NH3 reference target and the present amount of NH3. The method further includes determining an amount of NOx downstream of the second SCR catalyst, and adjusting one of the NH3 reference target and a reductant doser command in response to the amount of NOx downstream of the second SCR catalyst. The method further includes providing a reductant doser command in response to the NH3 error term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Mert Geveci, Andrew W. Osburn
  • Patent number: 9476339
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system comprises a housing defining an internal volume. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet and a sidewall defining a recess therein. A base is positioned within the recess. The base includes an injection port which is in communication with the internal volume. An injector is disposed on the base and is disposed completely within the recess. The injector is in fluidic communication with the internal volume via the injection port. The injector is configured to inject an exhaust reductant into the internal volume via the opening. A cover plate can be disposed over the recess and structured to prevent objects from impacting the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS EMISSION SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Meier, Vipin Iyer
  • Patent number: 9476340
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a Stirling engine is integrated into an exhaust system of a vehicle. The system comprises an engine coupled to a cooling system and an exhaust system. An emission control system is coupled to the exhaust system. A Stirling engine has one end coupled to the cooling system and another end selectively coupled to the exhaust system between the engine and the emission control system, and configured be driven from heat extracted from exhaust gas flow. The Stirling engine drives an electrical energy generator that provides electrical energy for storage in an energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mychajlo S. Kobylecky, Harry E. Eustice, Raymond C. Majcher
  • Patent number: 9476341
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system configured to treat exhaust gas generated by an internal combustion engine includes a reductant delivery system that injects a reductant solution into an exhaust gas. A selective catalyst reduction (SCR) device reacts with the reductant solution to reduce NOx from the exhaust gas. A control module is in electrical communication with the SCR device and the reductant delivery system. The control module determines at least one of an injection status of the reduction delivery system and a performance of the SCR device. The control module further determines at least one debounce time for delaying diagnosis of a NOx sensor based on at least one of the injection status and the performance of the SCR device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Whitt, Justin Adam Shetney
  • Patent number: 9476342
    Abstract: A thermal displacement compensation assembly for an engine system including a cylinder head and an exhaust manifold coupled to the cylinder head. The thermal displacement assembly includes a bracket configured to be operatively coupled to cylinder head and to the exhaust manifold and a multi-layer coupler. The multi-layer coupler is configured to be disposed between the bracket and the cylinder head, wherein a first component of the coupler is configured to slide with respect to a second component of the coupler such that relative movement between the bracket and one of the cylinder head and exhaust manifold is enabled by relative movement of the first component with the second component of the multi-layer coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam Forshier, Gary M. Frodsham, Paul M. Wynthein, Terry W. Schwickerath
  • Patent number: 9476343
    Abstract: A device is provided for preventing theft of a first vehicle component which is releasably connected to a second vehicle component. The theft preventing device includes a cover member arranged for obstructing removal of the first component from the second component and a locking member, which is configured for locking the cover member or the second component in an operational position in which the cover member obstructs the removal of the first component from the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Gert-Ove Wahlström, Christian Dansund
  • Patent number: 9476344
    Abstract: A cooling device for a motor vehicle engine connected to a cooling fluid feed system, where the cooling device includes two superposed subassemblies, where the first subassembly includes a feed body connected to the feed aperture and a tube connected to the feed body, the free end of which forms a first evacuation end, where the tube extends laterally relative to the feed body and is shaped so as to have a desired orientation, where the second subassembly includes a feed body connected to the feed aperture and a tube connected to the feed body the free end of which forms the second evacuation end, where the tube extends laterally relative to the feed body and is shaped so as to have a desired orientation, and where the feed bodies are securely attached to one another in sealed fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: BONTAZ CENTRE R&D
    Inventors: Denis Clement, Stéphane Perotto
  • Patent number: 9476345
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing corrosion of a charge air cooler and preventing engine misfire due to condensate formation. In response to condensate forming in a charge air cooler, engine cooling fan operation is adjusted. Engine cooling fan operation may also be controlled in response to vehicle operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 9476346
    Abstract: A combustion process with auto-ignition for direct-injection internal combustion engines involves dividing injection jets at a jet divider contour into a first partial quantity, a second partial quantity, and third partial quantities. The first partial quantity enters into the piston cavity, the second partial quantity enters via the piston step into a region between the piston crown and the cylinder head, and the third partial quantities, starting from the respective injection jet, spread out on both sides in the peripheral direction in opposite directions along the piston step, and the respective third partial quantities collide with one another between two adjacent injection jets within the piston step and are deflected radially inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Herbert Zoeller, Naima Seddouk
  • Patent number: 9476347
    Abstract: A pre-chamber spark plug that includes a shell. Additionally, the pre-chamber spark plug includes an insulator disposed within the shell. In a particular embodiment, a center electrode has a first portion surrounded by the insulator, and a second portion that extends from the insulator into a pre-chamber. The pre-chamber defined by the shell. In a further embodiment, a ground electrode is attached to the insulator. In particular embodiments, the ground electrode is tubular in shape and includes an inner spark surface ring spaced in surrounding relation to the center electrode to create a spark gap, an outer ring attached to the shell, and a plurality of rounded spokes connecting the inner and outer rings. In a particular embodiment, the ground and center electrodes accommodate attachment of precious metal alloys to increase electrode surface life. In another embodiment the ground electrode and insulator is coaxial to the center electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Domenico Chiera, David C. Petruska, Gregory James Hampson
  • Patent number: 9476348
    Abstract: A prechamber spark plug may have a prechamber having a pre-determined aspect ratio and hole pattern to achieve particular combustion performance characteristics. The aspect ratio and hole pattern may induce a rotational flow of fuel-air in-filling streams inside the prechamber volume. The rotational flow of the fuel-air mixture may include both radial flow and axial flow characteristics based on the aspect ratio and hole pattern. Axial flow characteristics can include a first axial direction proximate the periphery of the rotational flow and a counter second axial direction approaching the center of the rotational flow. The radial and axial flow characteristics may further include radial air-fuel ratio stratification and/or axial air-fuel ratio stratification. The rotational flow, the radial flow and the axial flow may be adjusted by alteration of the aspect ratio and hole pattern to achieve particular combustion performance characteristics in relation to a wide variety of spark gap geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Prometheus Applied Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luigi P. Tozzi, Maria-Emmanuella Sotiropoulou
  • Patent number: 9476349
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for operating a piston driven, internal combustion engine (10) including a the piston (40) translating in a cylinder (30). The engine (10) has an intake stroke, followed by a partial exhaust stroke, followed by a compression stroke, followed by a power stroke and then an exhaust stroke, all of which are sequentially repeated. The compression stroke has a stroke length that is less than the stroke length of the power stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventor: David S. Wells
  • Patent number: 9476350
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes an oil-lubricated bearing, a feed line for the oil and a throughflow limiter for the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Schumacher, Marco Marceno, Jan Linsel, Kay Hohenboeken, Oliver Berkemeier, Jens Wojahn, Klemens Grieser
  • Patent number: 9476351
    Abstract: Provided is a recirculation valve that diverts some of the compressed air in a scroll section to an upstream side of the scroll section via a bypass conduit in an open state and sends the compressed air in the scroll section to a downstream side in a closed state, the recirculation valve including a valve body that is fittable in a branch hole in which the scroll section communicates with the bypass conduit, and an actuator that moves the valve body between the closed state where the valve body is fitted in the branch hole and the open state where the valve body is away from the branch hole, in which the valve body forms an inner surface along an inner wall of the scroll section in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomokazu Murayama
  • Patent number: 9476352
    Abstract: A compact biomass gasification-based power generation system that converts carbonaceous material into electrical power, including an enclosure that encases: a gasifier including a pyrolysis module coaxially arranged above a reactor module, a generator including an engine and an alternator, and a hopper. The generator system additionally includes a first heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet of the reactor module and thermally connected to the drying module, a second heat exchanger fluidly connected to an outlet of the engine and thermally connected to the pyrolysis module, and a third heat exchanger fluidly connected between the outlet of the reactor module and the first heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger thermally connected to an air inlet of the reactor module. The system can additionally include a central wiring conduit electrically connected to the pyrolysis module, reactor module, and engine, and a control panel connected to the conduit that enables single-side operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: All Power Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: James Matthew Mason, Bear Kaufmann, Nick Bindbeutel, Julia Hasty, Ariel Fisk-Vittori
  • Patent number: 9476353
    Abstract: The two-cycle engine includes a piston capable of reciprocating along a cylinder, the piston being provided with piston rings; and a lubrication port provided in the cylinder, the lubrication port being used to supply a lubricant to a sliding surface of the cylinder on which the piston rings slide. Inter-ring spaces are provided, each inter-ring space being between adjacent piston rings. In addition, the two-cycle engine includes a controller used to adjust a lubrication period of lubricating from the lubrication port during movement of the piston toward a top dead center thereof, so that a period before an uppermost inter-ring space passing by the lubrication port is excluded from the lubrication period and a period in which at least part of a lowermost inter-ring space faces the lubrication port is included in the lubrication period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Saito, Takeshi Yamada, Yoshiyuki Umemoto
  • Patent number: 9476354
    Abstract: A wave motion gearing speed reducer (20) is disposed between a driving motor (15) and a control shaft (11) of a variable compression ratio mechanism. There are provided a input shaft rotation sensing sensor (31) to sense the rotational position of an input shaft (16) of the speed reducer (20), and an output shaft rotation sensing sensor (32) to sense the rotational position of an output shaft (12) of the speed reducer (20). When a discrepancy quantity (??) between sensed quantities of both sensors is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a judgment is made that a ratcheting of slippage of an engaging position between internal teeth (22) and external teeth (25) is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Shinobu Kamada, Sho Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 9476355
    Abstract: A midframe portion (213) of a gas turbine engine (210) is presented, and includes a compressor section (212) configured to discharge an air flow (211) directed in a radial direction from an outlet of the compressor section (212). Additionally, the midframe portion (213) includes a manifold (214) to directly couple the air flow (211) from the compressor section (212) outlet to an inlet of a respective combustor head (218) of the midframe portion (213).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: David A. Little, Gerard McQuiggan, David L. Wasdell
  • Patent number: 9476356
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Ramesh Gupta, Hans Thomann, Hugo S. Caram, Loren K. Starcher, Franklin F. Mittricker, Simon C. Weston, Scott J. Weigel
  • Patent number: 9476357
    Abstract: A portable on-demand hydrogen supplemental system producing hydrogen gas and mixing the hydrogen gas with the air used for combustion of the jet fuel to increase the combustion efficiency of said jet fuel. Hydrogen increases the laminar flame speed of the jet fuel during combustion thus causing more fuel to be burned and lowering particulate matter emissions. Hydrogen is supplied to the jet engine at levels well below its lower flammability limit in air of 4%. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced by an electrolyzer from nonelectrolyte water in a nonelectrolyte water tank. The system utilizes an onboard diagnostic (OBD) interface in communication with the jet's control systems, to regulate power to the system so that hydrogen production for the jet engine only occurs when the jet engine is running. The hydrogen gas produced is immediately consumed by the jet engine. No hydrogen is stored on, in or around the jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HNO Green Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Wade Owens
  • Patent number: 9476358
    Abstract: A fuel pressure regulation system is provided. The fuel pressure regulation system includes a supply arrangement for supplying an outlet flow. A primary metering circuit is provided, an inlet of which receives a first portion of the outlet flow of the supply arrangement, the primary metering circuit comprising a fuel metering valve and a primary pressure regulator. The primary pressure regulator is connected to an outlet of the fuel metering valve. The system also includes at least one secondary metering circuit. The primary pressure regulator is operably connected to the at least one secondary metering circuit to sense a pressure of the at least one secondary metering circuit. The system also includes a bypass regulator connected in parallel with the primary metering circuit and the least one secondary metering circuit such that an inlet of the bypass regulator receives a second portion of the outlet flow of the supply arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Carthel C. Baker, Michael P. Garry
  • Patent number: 9476359
    Abstract: An acoustic liner has a honeycomb layer disposed between a first panel and a permeable panel and includes a plurality of serpentine walls spaced apart from one-another. Adjacent serpentine walls outline in-part a first region carried by the first panel and an opposing second region carried by the permeable panel. The first and second regions are offset such that a centerline distance extending between the regions and centered between adjacent walls is greater than a distance measured directly between the panels, enabling the design of thinner acoustic liners. The regions and adjacent walls further define a cell having a constricted portion communicating between an end portion and an entry portion such that the constricted portion creates a frequency shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Soria, Jose S. Alonso-Miralles, Hwa-Wan Kwan
  • Patent number: 9476360
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic method of regulating a power plant (3?) of an aircraft (1), the power plant having at least one turbine engine (3), each engine (3) being capable of operating in an idling mode of operation. A calculation system (15) executes stored instructions in order to implement the idling mode of operation as a function of operational and ordered conditions either via a first regulation mode by regulating a first speed of rotation (Ng) of said gas generator (4), or via a second mode of regulation by regulating a second speed of rotation (NTL) of said free turbine (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventor: Alban Corpron
  • Patent number: 9476361
    Abstract: A system includes a gas turbine system including a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the gas turbine system and configured to control operations of the gas turbine system. The system further includes a life consumption model configured to determine an operating life of the gas turbine system based on both a health status of one or more components of the gas turbine system and operating conditions of the gas turbine system. The controller is configured to utilize at least the life consumption model to derive a control action for the gas turbine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rex Allen Morgan, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Harold Lamar Jordan, Scott Richard Baker
  • Patent number: 9476362
    Abstract: An assembly including an intermediate case of a bypass turbojet engine and of an inter-jet case extending upstream of the intermediate case to separate a primary air jet of the turbojet engine from its bypass air jet, the inter-jet case including, passing through it, a closable duct for diverting part of the primary flow to the bypass flow thereby forming a blow-off valve for the LP compressor, the intermediate case including arms passing across the bypass flow and the inter-jet case in its internal cavity including a first chamber situated upstream of the arms and a second chamber situated level with the arms, the duct being open or closed off by an annular component capable of axial movement set in motion by an arm that can rotate about a fixed pivot under action of a control cylinder, the cylinder being positioned in the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Emmanuel Patsouris
  • Patent number: 9476363
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a fuel control valve assembly including a valve and an actuator is disclosed. The method includes determining an encoder offset by actuating the valve until a predetermined value for the effective flow area is measured to obtain an actual calibration encoder count and comparing the actual calibration encoder count to an initial calibration encoder count. The method also includes adjusting an alignment encoder count and a maximum encoder count by an amount of the encoder offset. The method further includes associating the adjusted alignment encoder count with an alignment command value and the adjusted maximum encoder count with a maximum command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis James Bertsch, IV, Roy Thomas Collins
  • Patent number: 9476364
    Abstract: A method for controlling valve actuation in an engine is provided. The method includes initiating combustion operation in a first cylinder, opening, via a first cam, a first exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a first opening duration. The method further includes opening, via a second cam, a second exhaust valve coupled to the first cylinder for a second opening duration not equivalent to the first opening duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Helmut Hans Ruhland, Jens Dunstheimer, Albert Breuer, Shuya Shark Yamada
  • Patent number: 9476365
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing turbo lag by directing intake air from an intake manifold to an exhaust manifold. The intake air may be directed via an EGR passage by opening an EGR valve or by may be directed via engine cylinders by increasing positive valve overlap. Amounts of air directed via external EGR and air directed via positive valve overlap are based on engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Adam J. Richards, Robert Andrew Wade, David Bell
  • Patent number: 9476366
    Abstract: There are provided a variable compression-ratio mechanism (20) capable of varying an engine compression ratio in accordance with a rotational position of a control shaft (24); a speed reducer (44) configured to reduce in speed a rotational power of an actuator and transmit the speed-reduced rotational power to the control shaft (24); and a speed-reducer accommodating case (43) accommodating the speed reducer (44). An input shaft of the speed reducer (44) which is connected to the actuator has a shaft center line extending along a horizontal direction, and at least a part of the input shaft is kept under a lubricating oil retained in the speed-reducer accommodating case (43). The input shaft of the speed reducer (44) is swung by a predetermined swing angle to avoid inadequate lubrication of the input shaft of the speed reducer (44), during an operating state where the engine compression ratio is maintained constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tanaka, Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Yusuke Takagi, Katsutoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9476367
    Abstract: A method that protects a direct injection fuel injector in a multi-fuel engine comprises selectively operating the engine with at least one of a directly injected fuel introduced through the direct injection fuel injector and a second fuel. When fuelling the multi-fuel engine with the second fuel, a fuel system protection technique is selectively commanded when one or more adverse conditions, such as the direct injection fuel injector requiring cooling, is determined to exist. The fuel system protection technique comprises (a) suspending fuelling with the second fuel and injecting the directly injected fuel for a first predetermined number of engine cycles, and (b) switching back to fuelling the multi-fuel engine with the second fuel for a second predetermined number of engine cycles. The first and second predetermined number of engine cycles are selected to keep torque disturbances below a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: WESTPORT POWER INC., GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark E. Dunn, Craig Marriott, Ning Wu, Dehong Zhang, Raymond Bzymek, Joshua Cowgill, Ben Moscherosch
  • Patent number: 9476368
    Abstract: A control device of a vehicle drive device includes an engine having a supercharger and an automatic transmission outputting power of the engine to drive wheels, when a supercharging pressure at the end of the upshift is increased as compared to the start of the upshift such that an engine torque at an end of an upshift of the automatic transmission is made larger than that at a start of the upshift, a target supercharging pressure being set depending on a predicted engine operation state after the upshift to allow a shift operation to proceed while an increase of the supercharging pressure is started before a completion of the upshift such that the supercharging Pressure reaches the target supercharging pressure, the supercharging pressure being controlled such that a target engine torque determined based on a vehicle state is achieved, and when the supercharging pressure cannot be increased in the upshift before the end of the upshift to a magnitude required for generating the target engine torque at the en
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takaaki Tokura, Masato Kaigawa
  • Patent number: 9476369
    Abstract: A variable power drive mode system for a vehicle. The system includes a pedal, a processor, an engine or other vehicle power source for moving the vehicle and a battery. The processor of the vehicle determines, either automatically or based upon user input, a desired drive mode for the vehicle. A memory connected with the processor stores different data corresponding to the different drive modes determinable by the processor for the vehicle. The processor uses the different data stored in memory in combination with a position of the pedal to control the engine or other vehicle power source to generate power in accordance with the determined drive mode. Certain drive modes may provide for more aggressive driving profiles at the expense of fuel efficiency or fuel consumption when compared to other drive modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Gregg, Hidetoshi Kusumi
  • Patent number: 9476370
    Abstract: A single control for manipulating a fuel valve, a choke condition, and an ignition system condition of an engine of a portable engine powered device that simplifies starting, stopping, and operation of the engine associated with use of the device. The control includes a dial that can be rotated to positions between a first radial position and a second radial position. When the dial is in the first radial position, the fuel valve is maintained in a closed position and the ignition system is grounded such that the engine is rendered inoperable. Rotation of the dial away from the first radial position completes the ignition circuit, opens the fuel valve, and initiates a choke position suitable for subsequent starting and self-sustained operation of the engine. The dial is also axially displaceable to activate an electronic starter for engines so equipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Repasky, Russell Saari, Glen Schneider, Gary Castaldo, Jennifer Caldwell
  • Patent number: 9476371
    Abstract: In a method for determining a filling difference between at least two cylinders of an internal combustion engine, e.g., an Otto-cycle engine, a power output parameter contribution made available by the respective cylinder to a total power output parameter of the internal combustion engine is ascertained for each of the at least two cylinders for different fuel quantities, and an air inhomogeneity between the at least two cylinders is ascertained on the basis of the power output parameter contributions, ascertained for the different fuel quantities, of the at least two cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Hassdenteufel, Guido Porten, Andreas Roth, Uwe Mueller
  • Patent number: 9476372
    Abstract: A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a desired throttle area module, a correction factor module, a throttle control module, and an airflow compensation diagnostic module. The desired throttle area module determines a desired throttle area based on a driver input. The correction factor module determines a throttle area correction factor based on a difference between an estimated intake airflow and a measured intake airflow to compensate for a decrease in the measured intake airflow due to a flow restriction. The throttle control module determines a desired throttle position based on the desired throttle area and the throttle area correction factor. The airflow compensation diagnostic module diagnoses a fault in an amount of intake airflow compensation based on the throttle area correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James L. Worthing, Paul A. Bauerle
  • Patent number: 9476373
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling operation of an internal combustion engine is described. The engine is operated in a skip fire manner such that selected skipped working cycles are skipped and selected active working cycles are fired to deliver a desired engine output. A particular level of torque output is selected for each of the fired working chambers. Various methods, arrangements and systems related to the above method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Tula Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Younkins, Louis J. Serrano
  • Patent number: 9476374
    Abstract: In a method for regeneration of nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converters in the exhaust gas tract of a gasoline engine assigned an exhaust aftertreatment system in the form of a Y system including two three-way catalytic converters, two downstream nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converters, one shared catalytic converter for selective catalytic reduction, and a rear nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter, a first part of the exhaust gas in the first exhaust bank is set to rich and a second part of the exhaust gas in the second exhaust bank is set to lean in a first regeneration phase and subsequently, the second part of the exhaust gas in the second exhaust bank is set to rich and the first part of the exhaust gas in the first exhaust bank is set to lean in a second regeneration phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Alexandra Fuchsbauer, Uwe Mueller, Matthias Walz, Guido Porten
  • Patent number: 9476375
    Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling an engine in response to a pre-ignition event. A pre-ignition threshold and a pre-ignition mitigating action are adjusted based on a rate of change of cylinder aircharge. As a result, pre-ignition events occurring during transient engine operating conditions are detected and addressed different from pre-ignition events occurring during steady-state engine operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Michael Mancini
  • Patent number: 9476376
    Abstract: A fuel injection controller includes an increase control portion applying the boost voltage to the coil to increase a coil current to a first target value, and a constant current control portion applying a voltage to the coil to hold the coil current to a second target value. A threshold is an energization time period that is necessary to reach a boundary point between a seat throttle area of a property line and an injection-port throttle area of the property line from an energization start time point. An initial-current applied time period is from the energization start time point that the boost voltage starts to be applied to the coil to a time point that the coil current is decreased to the second target value. The increase control portion controls the coil current such that the initial-current applied time period is less than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keita Imai